Our goal as Outdoorsmen For Christ is to reach and influence individuals, changing mindsets and empowering people to turn to Christ, therefore enabling them to impact their life in every way.
On Saturday, August 27th, our first of what we hope will be many Hunters Safety classes, was held at Just as I Am Cowboy Church. The class was led by Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) officer Jessica Filla. There were 15 class members, many accompanied by parents.
Paul Conboy and Leon Pease already had their Hunters Safety certification and after passing the class, Sally Pease also has her certification. The next step in the process is for the
three of them to be certified to teach the class. A class is being tentatively planned for late October.
The class was from 8am to noon and included training videos covering safe shooting zones, wearing blaze orange, setting up and hunting safely from a tree stand and how to safely cross a fence with a firearm. In addition, guns without firing pins were provided by MDC and each member of the class was required to load and unload each gun, as well as learning the basic operation of the gun.
Breakfast of donuts and coffee, milk and juice was provided, as well as pizza and chips for lunch.
Sunday July 2nd at the Just As I Am Cowboy Church. The day begins 9:00 am with breakfast and fellowship. The fellowship, usually about fishing, has changed to target shooting with the bow. It is 2 days before July 4th celebration and the service seems to be more patriotic emphasizing the need to put God back in America. After church Hunter’s For Christ plans to do some target practice with the bow and arrow. Some young people are planning a water fight while others are planning a day of relaxation. Supper was served around 6:00 pm with ham burgers, BBQ chicken and all the trimmings
topped off with homemade ice cream, mmmmmm what a meal. Around 7:00 pm bow shooting starts with approximately 20 shooters. Some shooters have had practice while others are beginners and a few in between. Leon keeps things running smoothly and safely making sure everybody has a good time. Several on lookers watched while others had the opportunity to shoot a few arrows at the target. The sun drifts into the western abyss, the bows are returned to their cases, arrows are located and stored, and 
food is put away and all amble to their transportation home. The day is closing and I take note of this day of worship, fellowship and activities. I, and others, conclude that being a Christian is not boring or labor intense but an adventure of joy and love.